GAME REPORT

After a campaign full of frustration, Perfumerias Avenida swept away previous disappointments in one fell swoop with a 65-57 victory against UMMC Ekaterinburg, shattering the last unbeaten record in EuroLeague Women.

On a night to remember for the triumphant locals in Salamanca, Avenida gave their play-off prospects a huge shot in the arm with the win, a success which now means victory at bottom placed Novi Zagreb next week will see them safely into the play-offs.

Few people would have given them much hope prior to the tip-off against an imperious Ekat side that had won all ten of their previous games and is arguably sports one of the most star-studded lineups in the competition's history.

But, that didn't matter to Avenida on a rousing night when they played with incredible energy and court smarts. They fed off the energy that cascaded down from the supporters, no doubt wanting to taste that sweet winning feeling which characterised their run to the title a couple of years ago.

Throughout the first half, Avenida stood toe-to-toe with the tournament favourites, trading baskets at a brisk pace. Most people expected the visitors to re-emerge for the second-half engaged in a higher gear, but it didn't happen.

That was mainly due to the endeavours of Avenida and also their defence in a low-scoring third quarter which they won 10-9, meaning they led 50-47 going into the last quarter.

Still, Ekat didn't manage to impose themselves and as the minutes ticked down, Avenida started to believe more and more, rather than allowing nerves or doubts to creep in.

It was still a three point game at 57-54 with four minutes left, but Avenida dug deep and showed great resolve to prevent Ekat from spoiling the party as subsequent baskets by Marija Rezan and Marta Fernandez along with free-throws in the closing stages, eventually sealed the deal.

Only Marta Xargay had a remotely respectable shooting night with 14 points but it was all about rebounding for Avenida and both Rezan and LeCoe Willingham delivered on that front with a precious 22 boards between them.

Diana Taurasi had 20 points in defeat.

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COACH QUOTES

"First of all, I have to congratulate Perfumerías Avenida, they played a very inspired game, very agressive. We knew that we have to be agressive too, but the key of the game was that we made some important mistakes at key moments. Obviously, after having won all games, this loss will be imortant for us to keep on growing and to addapt our roster changes."

UMMC Ekaterinburg player Maria Stepanova

"As our coach said, there were some important mistakes that decided the game. They won the game on defence, so in this kind of games we have to play together. Anyway, there are no doubts over us in this competition."

Perfumerias Avenida head coach Victor Lapena

"This victory is a present for our fans because they were absolutely amazing tonight. It was very important for us. All our players played a fantastic game, the ones that played more minutes and the rest of them. I don´t want to think about our chances to be in the next round, I didn´t make any count, all that I want is enjoy this great victory tonight and start thinking about our next League game"

Perfumerías Avenida player Marija Rezan

"Probably it was my best game here, and we are very, very happy. We won against a fantastic team, with a lot of unbelievable players, the defence we made was very good. I expect to have other great games in the future, you will see."

COACH QUOTES

"First of all, I have to congratulate Perfumerías Avenida, they played a very inspired game, very agressive. We knew that we have to be agressive too, but the key of the game was that we made some important mistakes at key moments. Obviously, after having won all games, this loss will be imortant for us to keep on growing and to addapt our roster changes."

UMMC Ekaterinburg player Maria Stepanova

"As our coach said, there were some important mistakes that decided the game. They won the game on defence, so in this kind of games we have to play together. Anyway, there are no doubts over us in this competition."

Perfumerias Avenida head coach Victor Lapena

"This victory is a present for our fans because they were absolutely amazing tonight. It was very important for us. All our players played a fantastic game, the ones that played more minutes and the rest of them. I don´t want to think about our chances to be in the next round, I didn´t make any count, all that I want is enjoy this great victory tonight and start thinking about our next League game"

Perfumerías Avenida player Marija Rezan

"Probably it was my best game here, and we are very, very happy. We won against a fantastic team, with a lot of unbelievable players, the defence we made was very good. I expect to have other great games in the future, you will see."